The Speedway Researcher

Promoting Research into the History of Speedway and Dirt Track Racing

Volume 15 No.4 March 2013

Edition No. 60

Dirt Track Racing In Dunoon

I can forgive you if you think that this is an April Fool a month early,

but it isn’t.

I must admit that when I first came across a reference to the possibility

of dirt track racing in the town on the Cowal Peninsula which is

normally reached by a ferry across the Firth of Clyde from Greenock in

a 1932 edition of The People’s Journal I was sceptical. Dunoon is

probably best known as the biggest town which was close to the now

closed American submarine base at Faslane.

After all, the newspaper’s pedigree publishing articles which had Colin

Watson being born in Kirriemuir in Angus (the town where the author

of Peter Pan was born) and articles claiming both Col Stewart and Billy

Galloway were born in Glasgow didn’t exactly give it much credibility.

However, some of these daft tales are worth following up and low and

behold the daily Record for 16th May 1932 carried an article headed

“New Dunoon Attraction Dirt Track Racing Project Try Out A

Success.”

The article went on to tell of the trial on an unspecified date organised

by the Dunoon Athletic Football Club at The Recreation Park, Dunoon

by an Archibald Dick and a James Shannon. The purpose of the try out

was to convince the Dunoon Town Council’s Burgh Surveyor that this

would not damage the track at the stadium.

The moving force behind the proposal were the Dunnon and Cowal

Agricultural Society and they wanted to stage dirt track racing on the

day of their annual show scheduled for Saturday 18th June. The Town

Council accepted and the advert in the Dunoon Observer and

Argyllshire Standardfor the show intimated that dirt track racing would

take place. Four races were scheduled and they were to feature

established men such as Alfie Williams, Bill Naismith, Andy Nicol and

Sam Aitkenhead.

The only report to hand confirmed racing took place on a very dusty

track and in the second heat a rider, a Mr James M. McArthur of

Carntyne crashed, knocked himself out, and, hurt his hand. After a trip

to hospital he recovered and went home to Glasgow.

Thanks to Pam Horton at Dunoon Library for supplying scans of

newspaper articles in the local newspaper. Jim Henry

Star Championship Trophy Competition 1933

Stuart Staite Aris has compiled details of the Star Championship for

1933 as follows: Each of the ten National League tracks were to run a

series of scratch races open to only the tracks contracted riders. The

winner of each tracks qualifying event and the second placed man were

to represent their track at the Star Championship Final at Wembley on

September 14th. The championship sponsor the Star newspaper was to

give the scratch race final winner at each track a bronze star.

National League Qualifying Events Wimbledon – Monday June 26

th 1933

The Wimbledon Star Final eliminator produced plenty of good riding

but very little close racing. Vic Huxley was an easy winner on his Heat,

Semi Final and the Final. Ht 1 1

st Vic Huxley 2

nd Gus Kuhn Time 76.0 s Won by 50 yds Ht 2 1

st Syd

Jackson 2nd

Wal Phillips Time 76.6 s Won by 50 yds Ht 3 1st Claude Rye

2nd

Geoff Pymar Time 79.0 s Won by 8 lengths Semi Final 1 1st Vic Huxley

2nd

Wal Phillips Time 76.2 s Won by 10 lengths Semi Final 2 1st Syd

Jackson 2nd

Gus Kuhn Time 77.0 s Won by 40 yds Final 1st Vic Huxley 2

nd

Syd Jackson 3rd

Wal Phillips 4th

Gus Kuhn (mt) Time 76.0 s Vic Huxley

won the Final very easily. Syd Jackson who had easily won his Heat

and Semi Final made a poor start and wouldn’t have qualified for the

Wembley Final but for Wal Phillips over sliding when making a last

effort to go inside Vic Huxley on the final corner. Gus Kuhn stalled his

machine right at the start and wheeled his machine onto the grass. West Ham – Tuesday June 27

th 1933

Ht 1 1st Arthur Atkinson 2

nd Phil “Tiger” Hart 3

rd Harold Stevenson (f) 4

th

Rol Stobart (f) Time 89.0 s Won by 6 lengths Harold Stevenson who had

just received a presentation to mark his fifth year as captain of the West

Ham team fell on the first corner with Rol Stobart. Stobart was carried

off. The two remaining riders who automatically passed into the final

took care not to do themselves any damage by too fierce racing.

Ht 2 1st Arthur “Bluey” Wilkinson 2

nd Tommy Croombs Time 88.0 s

Final 1st Arthur “Bluey” Wilkinson 2

nd Tommy Croombs 3

rd Arthur

Atkinson 4th

Phil “Tiger” Hart Time 87.2 s Won by 8 lengths For a lap or

two there was a real dog fight between Wilkinson, Croombs and

Atkinson. Gradually Bluey Wilkinson forced his way to the front and

won by several lengths from Croombs. Sheffield – Wednesday June 28

th 1933

Ht 1 1st Eric Blain Time 78.05 s Ht 2 1

st Walter “Chun” Moore Time 78.9 s

Ht 31st Herbert “Dusty” Haigh Time 79.80 s Final 1

st Eric Blain 2

nd Walter

“Chun” Moore 3rd

Herbert “Dusty” Haigh Time 78.90 s Eric Blain won

the Sheffield Star Championship qualifier from Walter Moore with

Herbert Haigh having to settle for the Sheffield reserve slot. Squib

Burton the logical Sheffield representative who could compete with the

best star riders was still absent due to injury. Nottingham – Thursday June 29

th 1933

There was a surprise winner in Jack Chapman who hadn’t yet shown his

best form on his new home track. He had the best luck though as along

the way several of his main opponents were obligingly removed either

by falls or poor starts.

Ht 1 1st Fred Strecker 2

nd Ivor Hill Time 80.4.s Fred Wilkinson did not

start so leaving a two rider race and Fred Strecker won comfortably.

Ht 2 1st Les Wotton 2

nd None Time 82.0 s Fred Tate and Charlie

Blacklock collided and both fell in this heat. Les Wotton thus had a solo

ride after the second lap as both his opponents had by that time fallen.

Ht 3 1st Charlie Shelton 2

nd Jack Chapman Time 79.4 s George Dykes

appeared for the first time since injury and he rode well despite wearing

a huge knee protector.

Semi Final 1 1st Fred Strecker2

nd None Time 81.4 s Les Wotton was a non

starter and as Charlie Shelton fell on the second lap it left Fred Strecker

to finish alone. Semi Final 2 1

st Les Wotton 2

nd Jack Chapman 3

rd Ivor Hill Time 80.8 s

Les Wotton turned out in the second Semi Final and a fine race

developed. Wotton hit the front on the second turn and after a wheel to

wheel struggle he won by just two lengths from Jack Chapman. Final 1

st Jack Chapman 2

nd Les Wotton 3

rd Fred Strecker Time 79.0 s

Fred Strecker made a poor start in the final and Jack Chapman

capitalized on this by getting off the mark very quickly and was always

in the lead in what was the fastest winning time of the event. Strecker

almost passed Les Wotton but Wotton managed to hold his place to

qualify for the Wembley final. Belle Vue – Saturday July 1

st 1933

Semi Final 1 1st Frank Varey 2

nd Bob Harrison Time 83.2 s Won by 2

lengths Semi Final 2 1st Joe Abbott 2

nd NoneTime 84.4 s Final 1

st Frank

Varey 2nd

Eric Langton 3rd

None Time 81.4 s Won by 2 lengths Frank

Varey gained a narrow victory from Eric Langton while behind them

Joe Abbott and Bob Harrison collided. Clapton – Saturday July 1

st 1933

The surprise at Clapton was Jack Parker not getting very far in the Star

Final qualifier. Arthur Westwood was close to him for most of the time

in his heat and in the Semi Final Jack got left at the start and was not

too enthusiastic in his efforts to catch up after that.

Jim Kempster also struggled finding the racing much faster than before

his 2 year semi retirement. Ht 1 1

st Jack Parker 2

nd Arthur Westwood Time 89.8 s Won by 10 lengths

Ht 21st Norman Parker 2

nd Billy Dallison Time 89.6 secs Won by 4 lengths

Ht 3 1st Roy Barrowclough 2

nd None Time 92.0 s Phil Bishop did not

complete the race having fallen but as the only other rider in this heat he

was awarded a Semi Final place. Semi Final 1 1

st Billy Dallison 2

nd Roy Barrowclough Time 90.2 s

Won by 3 lengths Semi Final 2 1st Phil Bishop 2

nd Norman Parker

Time 88.2 s Won by a length Phil Bishop proceeded to win a magnificent

race with Norman Parker Final 1

st Phil Bishop 2

nd Norman Parker 3

rd Billy Dallison Time 89.0 s

Won by 6 lengths

Plymouth – Tuesday July 11th

1933

Ht 1 – Re Run 1st John Glass 2

nd Reg Stanley Time 81.3 s Won by 5 lengths

Bill Clibbett and John Glass crashed and Clibbett was unable to ride in

the re run through injury to a shoulder. Ht 2 1

st Frank Goulden 2

nd Ben Living Time 82.0 s Won by 2 lengths

Ht 3 1st Bill Stanley 2

nd Jack Sharp Time 81.4 s Won by 1 length

Final 1st Frank Goulden 2

nd Jack Sharp 3

rd Bill Stanley Time 80.0 s

Won by 5 lengths

Coventry - Thursday July 13th

1933

Heat 1 1st Stan Greatrex 2

nd Roy Dook 3

rd Stan Dell Time 79.2 s Heat 2 1

st

Dicky Case 2nd

Cyril Taft 3rd

Bill Pitcher Time 79.7 s

Ht 3 1st Triss Sharp 2

nd Wal Morton 3

rd Alf Mattson Time 80.2 s

Final 1st Dicky Case 2

nd Stan Greatrex 3

rd Triss Sharp 4

th Roy Dook (mt)

Time 79.7 s The Coventry representatives in the Star Trophy final went

to those riders in form and were to be Dicky Case and Stan Greatrex

with Triss Sharp as reserve. Wembley – Thursday August 10

th 1933

Ht 1 1st Colin Watson 2

nd Harold Riley “Ginger” Lees Time 82.6 s

Won by 5 lengths Ht 2 1st Harry Whitfield 2

nd Hal Herbert Time 83.2 s

Harry Whitfield the first Star rider Wembley ever signed on won a very

fast heat from latest Wembley recruit Hal Herbert. Ht 3 1

st Gordon Byers 2

nd Norman Evans Time 83.0 s Won by 10 lengths

Final 1st Harry Whitfield 2

nd Colin Watson 3

rd Gordon Byers Time 83.8 s

Won by 15 lengths Harry Whitfield had the advantage of being the rider

with the fastest motor and he made sure he got the best out of it. Crystal Palace – Saturday August 12

th 1933

Ht 1 1st Tom Farndon 2

nd Joe Francis 3

rd Eric Hustwayte Time 84.0 s

Joe Francis was left at the start and was unable to make up his lost

ground in this heat. Ht 2 1

st Harry Shepherd 2

nd George Newton 3

rd Jack Jackson Time 85.0 s

Won by 6 lengths Although Harry Shepherds win wasn’t as fast as the

first heat George Newton finishing not far behind him did enough to

qualify for the Crystal Palace final as the fastest second. Ht 3 1

st Ron Johnson 2

nd Jack Riddle 3

rd None Time 88.0 s Won by 5

lengths Ron Johnson who only had two novices to beat toured round

until one of them tried to go inside him. Ron then opened the throttle a

little wider until he had again drawn to the front and then immediately

resumed his tour. Final 1

st Tom Farndon 2

nd Ron Johnson 3

rd Harry Shepherd Time 82.0 s

Won by 15 lengths Ron Johnson made a poorish start in the final and

was last for a lap but that didn’t last long. He soon made up two places

and once in second place he did not seem to be troubled greatly

knowing that he had a secure Wembley qualifying place. Tom Farndon

had made an excellent start and well deserved his win and would have

taken someone a super human effort to catch him.

National League Riders Star Final Championship

Wembley – Thursday September 14th

1933

Twenty riders were to take part in the Star Championship Final. These

included the ten men who had won their track qualifying event and the

ten riders who finished in second place in their track qualifying event.

1st Place – A Silver Star and £100.00

2nd

Place – A Bronze Star and £50

3rd

Place - £25

Star Championship Qualifiers 1933 Team Club Qualifier

Belle Vue Frank Varey Main Qualifier

Eric Langton Second Placed

Qualifier

Coventry Dicky Case Main Qualifier

Stan Greatrex Second Placed

Qualifier

Clapton Phil Bishop Main Qualifier

Norman Parker Second Placed

Qualifier

Crystal Palace Tom Farndon Main Qualifier

Ron Johnson Second Placed

Qualifier

Nottingham Jack Chapman Main Qualifier

Les Wotton Second Placed

Qualifier

Plymouth Frank Goulden Main Qualifier

Jack Sharp Second Placed

Qualifier

Sheffield Eric Blain Main Qualifier

Walter “Chun” Moore Second Placed

Qualifier

Wembley Harry Whitfield Main Qualifier

Colin Watson Second Placed

Qualifier

West Ham Arthur “Bluey”

Wilkinson

Main Qualifier

Tommy Croombs Second Placed

Qualifier

Wimbledon Vic Huxley Main Qualifier

Syd Jackson Second Placed

Qualifier

The Star Final was described in the Speedway News magazine as the

best Star Final ever seen and one of the most exciting meetings of any

kind ever held. Tom Farndon won due to a combination of factors. He

started better than anyone else, he had a lot of speed in his engines and

his riding throughout was superb. Heat Details

Ht 1 1st Les Wotton 2

nd Dicky Case 3

rd Vic Huxley 4

th Tommy Croombs (f)

Time 78.8 s Won by 6 lengths Les “Smiler” Wotton transformed as a

rider by the big occasion posted what was to be the fastest time of the

meeting. Wotton was the winner all the way after he had firmly but

fairly dealt with the challenge of Dicky Case early in the race. Ht 2 1

st Tom Farndon 2

nd Walter Moore 3

rd Frank Varey

4th

Norman Parker (f) Time 79.2 s Tom Farndon won his heat easily and

by some distance ahead of second placed Walter “Chun” Moore.

Norman Parker fell while holding a secure second place and looking all

set to reach the Semi Finals. Farndon’s win was just 3/5 of a second

away from the Wembley track record Ht 3 1st Eric Blain 2

nd Harry

Whitfield 3rd

Phil Bishop 4th

Jack Sharp Time 80.2 s Won by 6 lengths

Eric Blain recorded a well deserved win. Ht 4 1

st Arthur Wilkinson 2

nd Eric Langton 3

rd Stan Greatrex (mt) 4

th Fred

Strecker (Non Starter) Time 80.4 s Won by 6 lengths Eric Langton

finding he would have to ride very fast to beat Arthur “Bluey”

Wilkinson decided instead to settle for second place which was good

enough to reach the Semi Final stage. Wilkinson by winning reached a

Semi Final which was somewhat easier than Langton’s. Heat 5 1

st Ron Johnson 2

nd Syd Jackson 3

rd Frank Goulden 4

th Colin

Watson (mt)Time 80.8 s Won by 10 lengths Semi Final 1 1st Tom Farndon

2nd

Les Wotton 3rd

Harry Whitfield 4th

Eric Langton Time 79.0 s Won by

12 lengths Tom Farndon was away first with Les Wotton left trailing.

Wotton speedily put Harry Whitfield behind him and on the second lap

went inside Eric Langton and filled him in. Wotton then chased after

Tom Farndon but didn’t have the necessary speed to catch him. Semi Final 2 1

st Arthur Wilkinson 2

nd Syd Jackson 3

rd Eric Blain (f)

4th

Dicky Case (ret) Time 80.2 s Won by 2 lengths The early race order

saw Syd Jackson leading followed by Eric Blain, Dicky Case and then

Arthur Wilkinson. Bluey Wilkinson then started to make his move

initially getting past Dicky Case then halfway through the race he went

inside Eric Blain with such speed that the Sheffield man came off.

For the rest of the race Wilkinson was engaged in defeating Syd

Jackson. Syd however put up a great fight back. On the third lap

Wilkinson went inside Jackson and bumped him hard however Jackson

didn’t move off his line and it was finally by going around him that

enabled Bluey to take up his winning lead. Semi Final 3 1

st Ron Johnson 2

nd Phil Bishop 3

rd Walter Moore

4th

Vic Huxley Time 81.4 s Won by 5 lengths Ron Johnson was an easy

winner from Phil Bishop. Vic Huxley and Phil Bishop had reached the

Semi Final as the two fastest third placed men in their heats. Star Championship Final 1

st Tom Farndon 2

nd Ron Johnson

3rd

Arthur Wilkinson Time 79.6 s Tom Farndon and Bluey Wilkinson

fought over the lead for the first two laps. Farndon went ahead on the

second bend and thereafter slowly but surely asserted his superiority.

Wilkinson looked all set for second place until he lost his front tyre and

was only able to crawl over the finish line with Ron Johnson well in

front of him. Second Half Details National Speedway Association Trophy

Ht 1 1st Norman Parker 2

nd Morian Hansen 3

rd Stan Greatrex

4th

Vic Huxley Time 81.2 s Colin Watson still troubled by a rib injury

was replaced by Dane Morian Hansen. Hanson took second place

behind Norman Parker who was to do very well in this event. Ht 2 1

st Syd Jackson 2

nd Harry Whitfield 3

rd Walter Moore

4th

Sebastian Roth Time 81.2 s Won by 12 lengths Syd won easily. Ht 3 1

st Phil Bishop 2

nd Ron Johnson 3

rd Tommy Croombs 4

th Jack Sharp

Time 82.0 s Won by Inches

Phil Bishop won by inches from Ron Johnson which kept up the high

standard of racing that had been on show throughout the evening. Ht 4 1

st Arthur Wilkinson2

nd Les Wotton 3

rd Frank Varey (f)

4th

Dicky Case (fell) Time 79.8 s Won by 2 lengths For three and a half

laps Wilkinson and Wotton were almost dead level and they quickly left

Frank Varey and Dicky Case well behind them. Varey and Case were

both later on fallers in this heat. On the last bend Bluey dived through

and probably as much by extra speed than anything else won by a

couple of lengths. Ht 5 1

st Tom Farndon 2

nd Eric Blain 3

rd Frank Goulden 4

th Eric Langton

(ret) Time 82.0 secs Eric Langton’s machine failed on the first lap. Semi Final 1 1

st Arthur Wilkinson 2

nd Norman Parker 3

rd Syd Jackson 4

th

Phil Bishop Time 80.6 s Won by 8 lengths Norman Parker managed to

stay with Bluey Wilkinson for three laps with Syd Jackson right behind

them. Jackson however couldn’t find a gap into which to place his

machine to make a challenge and the riders ahead of him were also

going so fast that he had to work hard to keep anywhere near them. Semi Final 2 1

st Tom Farndon 2

nd Les Wotton 3

rd Harry Whitfield

4th

Ron Johnson (f) Time 81.4 s Won by 5 lengths Tom Farndon beat Les

Wotton who was much slower than himself although second place

ensured Wotton a slot in the final. Ron Johnson caught his handlebars in

the safety fence near the pits and went clean over them. Ron walked

away uninjured National Speedway Association Trophy Final 1

st Arthur Wilkinson

2nd

Les Wotton 3rd

Tom Farndon 4th

Norman Parker Time 80.0 s

Won by Inches Les Wotton managed to retain a slight lead which was

usually well under a bike length until the last corner when he drifted

ever so slightly off the racing line. The space he left was big enough for

Bluey Wilkinson who drove hard through it and he came into the

finishing straight about a length and a half in front. Wotton on the

outside line with more speed slowly closed the gap resulting in almost a

dead heat finish. The Steward awarded the win to Arthur Wilkinson. International Two Lap Dash Match Race

Sebastian Roth and Morian Hansen took part in a pair of two lap dashes

but Roth fell once and on neither occasion did anything as well as he

had shown in the past. Ht 1 1st Morian Hansen 2

nd Sebastian Roth Time

39.2 s Won by 10 lengths Ht 2 1st Morian Hansen 2

nd Sebastian Roth (f)

Time 39.8 s

AJ HUNTING AND THE SOUTH AMERICA STORY

At the close of the 1928 s UK season, while the Australian riders

departed from England to their homeland, AJ was reunited his wife

Ethel, who had arrived in Liverpool from Brisbane on the “Hobsons

Bay” on September 22 1928. International Speedways Ltd were

promoting at White City Manchester at the time of Mrs Huntings arrival

at nearby Liverpool. Strong connections had been established by AJ

with the Belle Vue riders and officials and the North Manchester

Motorcycle Club which would feature in future developments in South

America. A particular friendship was established with John Iles who

was the mastermind of the Belle Vue Zoological Gardens. The Huntings

travelled to Buenos Aires, departing on October 10 1928 from Genoa

after a whirlwind autumn tour through Europe.

Before we get into the story of South America we should mention a

suspected involvement by A J with a mystery speedway in Paris. In a

letter written in 1940 he refers to a promotion at Port Doree in Paris

during 1928/29 as one of his achievements. AJ was indeed in Paris in

1928, there is also a photo of Bert Spencer flying to Paris in 1928 and a

letter written from Paris by AJ. Nothing has been recorded in speedway

history about this venue, but there was a company registered in 1928

named Continental Speedways Ltd, which seems AJ’s style.

To get back to South America, AJ would later reflect on the good times

they had in what he always referred to as “The Argentine”. It was also

Ethel’s happiest times as the wife of a speedway promoter, although the

children were still in Australia. Ethel had no love of speedway but the

social whirl of Latin America was a great compensation. In later years

she would display her ability to dance the Can Can and other South

American dances.

Argentina was home to over 50,000 Brits at the time who controlled the

₤700 million economy. AJ found over 50 Australians living in the city

and organised them into a dinner on the first Wednesday of the month.

He was also able to win over the local press who wholeheartedly

supported this exciting new sport.

After a winter in Buenos Aires AJ and Ethel returned to England for the

new English season departing from Montivideo on January 29 1929

aboard the “Dunstan Grange” of the Houlder Line. Ethel carried on to

Brisbane on the Hobsons Bay. This was reported in the Adelaide

newspaper’s “About People social column on April 11 1929

Mrs. Hunting, wife of Mr. A. J. Hunting, president of the Dirt Track

Motor Cycle Company, Brisbane, was a passenger on the Hobsons

Bay, which passed through Adelaide yesterday.

By mid 1929 there were warning signs that the halycon days of

speedway in England were coming to an end. There was a tightening of

belts by the promoters with finances drying up, England was also in the

grip of the depression with the result the paying public had less money

to spend on entertainment. AJ was also aware that there were now

several controlling bodies within speedway, all ready to inject their two

bob’s worth, but never offering any financial solutions. It was no

surprise to those in the know when AJ booked a ticket on the S.S.

Almeda from Southampton to return to South America on July 10 1929.

Building on the plans laid the previous winter he formed two

companies, World Wide Speedways Ltd, /BT/33100/240643/, with the

American rider Sprouts Elder and John Henry Iles of the North

Manchester MCC as directors. The second company was South

American Speedways, bt31/33100/23377 both companies were

registered in London with records in the National Archives.

Plans were made with Club Atletico Huracan to open at the La Huracan

soccer stadium in Buenos Aires in October 1929. Due to weather

conditions this date was delayed to November. The 350 metre banked

track had long straights and tight bends, the surface was a brick dust

composition. The entire perimeter of the track and pits area was

surrounded by a 3 metre high mesh fence as the volatile Latin American

crowds were known to throw bottles and whatever else was handy to

register their displeasure at the competitors of any sport. To the riders

they must have felt like Roman gladiators at the mercy of the baying

crowd. The first star riders to arrive from England were Sid Newiss,

Eric and Oliver Langton, they set about an advertising campaign and

gave exhibition rides in the interval of a soccer match at the La Huracan

stadium. Sid Newiss became the first speedway rider film star when

Movie Tone news filmed him in action, This film was shown in over

fifty cinemas across South America. This publicity caught the attention

of a director of Raleigh Motorcycles who invited the riders to race in

two 180k sidecar road racing events, the Fernet Brianca Trophy on

November 11 1929 and the South American Championships on

December 11 1929 more, about those events later.

The speedway stars had made their way on different ships to Buenos

Aires, as their riding commitments in England finished ready for a

winter of sunshine and racing under contract to AJ. At the time there

were several ships on the South American route departing from ports at

Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle and London. It must have been of

some concern and a matter of relief to AJ by the time his full contingent

of riders and officials finally assembled in Buenos Aires. The

assembled group consisted of a number of Belle Vue riders and staff.

The second group to arrive were Frank Varey and the Jervis brothers,

Arthur and Hugh, who travelled on the Norman Star from Newcastle

on October 10.1929 the Jervis brothers shipped five new Rudges, whilst

Varey had three Scott motorcycles.

The third party of Buzz Hibberd, Ivor Creek, Dank Ewen, Bob

Harrison, Dusty Haigh, Joe Gooding, Arthur Westwood, George Corney

Tom Wainwright and Frank Goulden arrived on the Stuart Star.

There was a further shipment of six brand new Douglas DT 500’s and

spare engines. AJ had plans to sell speedway machines in South

America and placed a large order with the Douglas factory in Bristol for

this purpose. Apart from the riders there was a management team of

Queenslander Jack Harris Belle Vue team manger and mechanic, Frank

Hunting, Bernard.L. Brock Belle Vue manager, A.W. Smith, H.W.

Moss, A. Williams, P. Mackey and C. Clarke. Some of the rider’s wives

including Mrs Grosskreutz, and Mrs Elders were also in the party. The

scale of this expedition eclipsed the original first fleet of speedway

riders to England in 1928, there was much at stake.

With the arrival of Max Grosskreutz Frank Duckett and Sprouts Elder

with six brand new Douglas DT500 machines and six engines, it

seemed all systems were ready to go. On the official practise day, the

police were so alarmed at the spectacle of speedway bikes broadsiding

around the spacious track that they promptly banned the sport as too

dangerous and planned to place a police guard on the stadium to

prohibit any further riding.

The opening night was planned for October 25, weather conditions

delayed this until November 9. A capacity crowd of 20,000 people

clamoured to see this new spectacle of speedway racing. Some reports

state that the police still tried to stop the meeting and that the crowd

broke down the police barriers. An opinion on this issue was that the

local cinema operators were fearful of the effect on their businesses and

had lobbied the police to take action. Half the crowd had complimentary

tickets, anyway, a move that the promoters hoped would be re-couped

in future meetings. The impact that the sport had on the Argentenian

public was certainly enthusiastic as they took to the concept of

speedway with all the Latin American passion,

For the riders there were some notable differences to their previous

experiences. The track was surrounding by a twelve foot high wire

fence with four strands of barbed wire on the top. This was standard

sporting stadium regulation as the public were excitable and partisan

would throw anything at the riders. Certain riders soon became the

villans. The Red Devil of Death was the name given to Frank Varey,

The “Terrible Tornado” applied to Eric Langton, Ernie Evans was “The

Little One” and sprouts Elder, “The King of the Track”. The crowd

would vent their displeasure by whistling. If the rider was in favour he

was showered with flowers and kissed, even by the male supporters.

The night’s racing started ten pm and would finish after midnight. Frank

Varey related this in the Speedway News publication. Frank recalled

that it was wise to keep clear of the law. If you were involved in a

motor accident, the car was roped off and left on the street until the

drivers, who had been flung into jail, appeared in court. The legal side

extended into the speedway racing.. Frank was in hospital after a

collision with Syd Newiss and Frank Duckett. A lawyer appeared by his

bed asking him to sign a document accusing Syd and Frank of

attempted murder! Shootings were common place. Frank claimed there

was a notice at the speedway ordering “No shooting in the pits”2

Support was forthcoming from wealthy businessmen and the local

press. The Golden Helmet, known as Casco de Oro, raced for in a

scratch race heats, semi finals and final formula was sponsored by the

daily newspaper Critica.

The winner at the first meeting was Oliver Langton in a blanket finish

with Queenslander Max Grosskreutz.. Dusty Haigh and Australian

Frank Duckett also made it to the semi finals. The locals went into

hysterics when home town boy Roberta Singrand, riding from a

generous 100 metre start, won the handicap final from Buzz Hibberd,

Eric Langton and Sprouts Elder.

The riders soon got acclimatised enjoying the relaxed lifestyle and the

speedway meetings late start. It was often almost breakfast time by the

time the riders returned to their accommodation after a night’s racing.

There was a mix of English and Spanish titles for the various officials,

the announcer was known as” Megafonista” and the timekeeper

“Cronometrista”, the clerk of the course and the machine examiner

retained the English names.

Encouraged by the success of La Huracan, Hunting set up a second

track known as River Plate speedway on November 30, a smaller 300

metre circuit, with narrow straights. There were now several

Argentinian riders taking part. The promoters were able to track two

teams who raced on a progressive points system over all the matches for

the season. The Huracane speedway was running on Saturdays and

Wednesdays and River Plate on Sundays.

December 11 saw Frank Varey win the Silver Gauntlet at Huracane, the

biggest thrill of the night was when one of the locals broadsided through

the pit gate scattering riders and officials everywhere, luckily with no

injuries.

The following night at River Plate on December 12 the biggest crowd

since speedway opened in the city vented their wrath on the English

rider Eric Langton who persistently jumped the start. Langton was

cautioned several times, the crowd whistled and hissed, but then went

into raptures as Langton the villian was beaten fair and square by

Sprouts Elder in the Grand Final. Geoff Kilburne won the handicap

final. It was announced that earlier in the day Kilburne had taken part in

a 240k road race at Mercedes some 80k outside the city. This news was

received with a standing ovation for the English rider.

By this time the riders were racing at speedway three nights a week and

road racing once a week. The racing was proving to be fast and furious

with several riders receiving serious injuries. Max Grosskreutz, Eric

Langton and Frank Varey were all sidelined for several weeks. Frank

Varey was one of the crowds favourites his red jersey and red painted

machine earned him the title of “El Diablo Rojo,” the Red Devil, a

name that stuck with him the rest of his life.

AJ then encountered similar problems as he had in Brisbane with the

Ekka owners, the Royal National Association, who granted free entry to

their members. The members of the La Hurane Soccer Club also had

free admission to the stadium. This was proving a financial handicap.

The promoters halted the Wednesday night meetings while the matter

was resolved.

The local interest was improving with the quick progress of the

young Argentine riders, Juana Pagano, Robero Sigrand, Jose Gonzales,

Alfredo Torres, Juan Salatino, Enrigue Moyana, Salvador Valdala and

Angel Renquire. They were improving rapidly under the tutor ship of

the English riders, so much so that a wealthy Buenos Aires identity put

up a Silver Gauntlet for home riders only

The Argentine Individual Championship on February 12 was the last

big meeting of the first season. The format for this popular contest was

by elimination, the two riders to contest the final were Sprouts Elder

and Frank Varey. It was reported that the large crowd went wild with

excitement as Elders on his Douglas and Varey on a Scott went neck

and neck for the whole distance with Varey gaining the verdict on the

line. Varey’s time was 81 seconds, which worked out to 72 kph.

A note here on the handicap racing which provided the thrills and spills

with six riders in a race. The Argentine riders came on in leaps and

bounds through these regular races the rider to emerge was Juan

Salatino known as “Sally” who in later years was the Argentine

Champion up to 1939.

The last meeting of the 1929/1930 season was at La Huracane on

February 26. The riders started their voyages back to England for the

new season, they had been paid in gold sovereigns. There were many a

game played and fun filled days on the trip home.

Frank Hunting had already returned to Australia where he managed

speedway at the Melbourne Exhibition speedway until April 26 1930,

this is confirmed in the programme for that date.

Second season

Approaches were made to the1929/1930 riders later in the year. Most of

them re signed for the new season opening in November. A new

addition was the sixteen year old Australian sensation Ernie Evans

Back in Australia there was concern that the South American

developments would be detrimental to Australian speedway as in this

report in the Brisbane Courier newspaper:

“Information received in Brisbane is that Australian Speedway

fans''will not see many of the world's leading riders in action this

season, for it is understood that the best of the speedmen who were

riding in England this year intend to journey to South America for the

coming season. The unfavourable posjtion of Australia regarding the

rate of exchange doubtless has caused many of the dirt track

champions to look askance at our country”.

Ernie Evans arrived on the Austurias on November 21 1930 with Frank

Hunting, Arthur Westwood, Tom Wainwright, Geoff Kilburn, Bob

Harrison, Jim Gooding, Dicky Wise and Frank Goulden. Frank had

returned from Australia direct to Buenos Aires.

One of the mysteries of the South American story is the belief that

Queensland rider Bruce McCallum, who died in tragic circumstances in

Manchester England in 1931, was a member of the party. The true facts

are that a mechanic by the name of Pug McCullum, note the two” u”’s

in the name, was a member of the 1930/31 team, where Pug originated

from is unknown. He did obtain publicity when the local paper printed

his name under a photo of Eric Langton. Bruce who was a Belle Vue

rider never rode in South America. Another mystery was the report in a

Spanish language newspaper that Australian Bert Spencer was on board

the SS Arlanza. This was not true.

One of the strangest decisions for the second season was the banning of

Rudges for the English riders. This may have been a move to give the

home riders an advantage. The Douglas, AJS and JAPS all encountered

tuning problems possibly due to the climate. The Rudge issue was later

overturned with the ruling that Rudges can be used for all riders except

World Championships and scratch races, which specify Douglas

machines. The exact logic behind these rulings is unclear and some

misunderstanding arises in the translation from Spanish to English in

the relevant reports.

A lavish special luncheon, hosted by International Speedways Ltd was

served in the Grand Saloon the La Emiliana Resturant in Cala Paraus on

October 30 1929 to honour the press and the new riders for the

1930/1931 season. Present at the luncheon were the directors of ISL, AJ

and Frank Hunting, Jack McDonald, Dr. Aldolfa Orma jnr, Messrs F R

Limpenny, A J McLaren, J R Crawford, Leicester Miles and Reginald

Hastings. AJ would often refer to Hastings in letters, commenting on his

formal English style of dress with striped trousers and long tailed coats.

Tributes were given to the press for their support during the previous

season. AJ gave an address, which was translated into Spanish by by Mr

F R Limpenny. Mr Jack McDonald also spoke in the language of

Cervantes.

A press day and trials were held at the newly laid 350 metre track at

River Plate on November 6. Billy Lamont set the track record at 77 sec.

Lamont was announced as the captain of the River Plate team.

Accidents were the order of the day in the second La Hurcane meeting.

A spill in every single race created injuries to Ernie Evans, broken nose,

and Dicky Wise torn ligaments. As the season progressed the injury toll

mounted with Joe Gooding and South Australian Dicky Wise both

sidelined with collarbone injuries in December.

Stars of the third meeting at La Hurcane were Sprouts Elder who won

the Silver Helmet and Argentine champion Juan Pagano. Many of the

overseas riders were still on the high seas, which gave opportunities for

the local lads to show what they could do. Enrique Moyano made a

good show against Elder in a match race and the Rudge mounted

Pagano finished the night off by beating Arthur Westwood in a match

race.

The new season opened at the River Plate Speedway on November 14

1930 with a spectacular crash between local rider Angel Requino who

fell in front of Eric Langton who in a brave attempt to avoid the fallen

Requino who had parted company with his machine. Langton clipped

the machine and went straight into the fence. The 25,000 crowd rose to

their feet in horror. It was several minutes before either rider stirred.

Both were taken to hospital with concussion. The star of the night was

the young Australian Ernie Evans who twice won in 71 seconds to

establish a new track record.

To the fans delight Frank Varey the Red Devil was back in town for the

meeting on November 22, piling up spectacularly in his first ride to

avoid the fallen Tom Wainwright. His anger boiled over when he was

excluded from the re-run. He let the Spanish speaking official have a

full blast of his broad Yorkshire accent, with either side not

understanding the words but the body language spoke volumes.

Completely wound up, Varey blasted the other riders in all his

following races to win the El Grafico-the Enamel Helmet.

Back at the River Plate on November 23 Bob Harrison was the surprise

winner of the Golden helmet from Billy Lamont, Oliver Langton and

Ernie Evans. Lamont, who blew his JAP in his last meeting had

persistent problems with his new Douglas.

The English riders, Varey, the Langtons, Harrison, Kilburn and

Allan Jefferies, mechanic to Sprouts Elder, entered as a team for the

Argentine road race championship on November 30. This was held at

the Mercedes circuit a dusty 12 kilometre dirt surfaced track 80 k north

east of Buenos Aires.

Competing in the road races became a regular pastime for a lot of the

English riders with mixed results. The Argentine Grand Prix was

contested by twenty two riders. Frank Varey set a new record at a speed

of 136kph on an AJS, unfortunately the motor blew up on the last lap.

A third track across the River Plate at Montivideo in Uruguay was

opened in January 1931. The Langton brothers, Bob Harrison and Joe

Gooding were transferred to the new track to assist the local riders.

Gooding recalled his time in South America saying,

“We lived in a small resort at Malvin on the coast. It was paradise,

semi tropical, wonderful sands and the Atlantic Ocean breaking gently

on the beach, and what nights they were under the Southern Cross.”

The career of Frank Varey almost came to a tragic, premature end

whilst competing in the second Agaoil Trophy Sidecar Challenge on the

Mercedes circuit over the Christmas period. Taking up the story from

the Auto Journal correspondent who wrote:

“The accident happened some thirty seconds after the start. When

driving his sidecar combination at 60 mph Varey crashed into a horse

drawn watercart, which was being driven across the track. Varey was

lying fourth at the time. The first three drivers managed to avoid the

cart, but Varey blinded by the dust careered straight into the cart,

killing both horses and the driver. Argentine rider Antonia Gerli,

following close behind Varey hit the debris and died instantly. Varey

was taken to hospital unconscious, and was not expected to live. He

surprised everyone by recovering a few hours later. It was several

weeks before he rode again. The police arrested all the officials. They

were released later without charges being laid”.

The off track excitement continued when Billy Lamont and Geoff

Kilburn were thrown into jail when caught driving a borrowed car down

a one way street. They were released from jail after the car’s owner

turned up at the police station, but Kilburne the driver was fined for not

having a driving licence.

The are many conflicting reports over the success or otherwise of the

South American venture. One thing is certain the riders did earn good

money. After three month racing some of the earnings in Argentine

dollars were stated to be Lamont $3783, Oliver Langton $3454, Varey

$3335, Juan Gagano $2983, Evans $2733 and Westwood $2682. No

mention is made of Eric Langton and Elder’s earnings possibly because

they were shareholders in the promotions.

As the season drew to a close the injury list grew longer. Regulars at the

British hospital were Elders, water on the knee, Eric Langton shoulder

injury, Kilburne foot injury, Wainwright poisoned foot and Wise

damaged thigh. Varey was still recovering from his road race crash. The

Red Devil returned to the track on February 10 only to crash again and

break seven bones in his left hand. Not surprising he returned to

England on the RMSP Asturios on February 22.

The La Huracane speedway had suffered badly through the wet weather

with a total of sixteen postponements. There was to be no racing during

the Carnival week. The directors then decided to close the track down

early and concentrate on the River Plate and Montivideo promotion,

hoping for improved gates from the thousands of vistors expected for

the British Empire Trade Fair which opened in March.

Rumours were rife among the riders regarding the financial prospects in

England for the 1931 season, due to the ban on appearance or signing

on fees. AJ had realised earlier in 1929 that the writing was on the wall

for speedway in England. He had opened negotiations to promote in

New York with Sprouts Elder. Australians Dicky Wise, Billy Lamont,

Ernie Evans. Argentine stars Juan Pagano and Juan Salatino were all

contracted to travel to New York for the proposed May start.

According to the Auto magazine, AJ departed from Buenos Aires to

Santiago en route for New York on Sunday February 15,.His future

address was given as the Anglo -South American Bank, 40 The

Broadway New York. A copy of a letter of introduction from the Anglo

South American Bank to AJ was issued on February 10 1932 The

journey to Santiago was by rail. Santiago itself was not a seaport. The

nearest port was Valparaiso 120k northwest. British researcher Nigel

Bird states that AJ berthed at Key West Florida from Cuba on March 7

en route to New York. Reports in the press of the speedway promotion

in New York are unfounded although a company was formed for that

purpose.

What is known is that AJ was active in other business ventures. He

commissioned the printing of a number of four page comics with the

company of King Syndicates Incorporated of 235 East Street New York

City. In 1941 AJ had correspondence with the company again with an

idea of publishing comics in Australia. In another letter to a friend in

New York AJ recalls visiting the “speak easies” which were a type of

illegal drinking den, quite unlike AJ who always appeared temperate.

The USA Taxation Archives revealed that AJ was in New York 1-3-

1931- 15-4-1931 and sailed on the MV Norvai. His own personal Atlas

indicates he returned the same route to Valparaiso and then across the

Pacific to Australia. The Atlas is marked in his handwriting with a note

on the miles sailed everyday. From this we conclude that given the short

time he was in New York, there was never any speedway staged there

under his promotion.

Whilst in Argentina AJ did apply for a patent on a type of pre cast

concrete construction for roadworks. As the documents are in Spanish it

is hard to know the full details. Later correspondence revealed he had

an expectation of funds from his business transaction in South America.

He later refers to his former business partners in scathing terms so we

suspect he consider he was cheated in some way. The shipping records

show that Frank Hunting returned to England on April 28 1931, and

then back to Melbourne. See this report below from Melbourne Age 9-

7-1931.

Dirt Track Sport Popular.

Dirt track motorcycle racing as a variation to the thrills of the

bullfight has been introduced to the excitable Latin crowds of South

America. Two Australian brothers, Messrs. F. A. and A. J. Hunting,

constructed the tracks and introduced the sport to Buenos Aires and

MonteVideo.

Mr. F. A. Hunting, on his return to Melbourne in the Commonwealth

and Aberdeen Line steamer Moreton Bay, said that the meetings drew

crowds of 20,000 in those cities. Thirty overseas riders (including

many Australians) and 24 Argentinians took part in the races. Ernie

Evans, an 18-year-old Melbourne rider, put up some of the best

performances. In England, which he also visited, Mr. Hunting found

that tracks he put down in 1928 were still in use.

"The Australian dirt track racing standard Is the highest in the

world," he said. "Twenty-one Australians are racing in England, with

Huxley still on top. In Germany Bill Lamont, the Australian, is

drawing £600 a meeting."

What happened to the three Australian riders in the period February to

May is unclear. Evans arrived in England in May to ride for Wembley,

Lamont turned up in June as a freelance rider, of Wise there is not a

record of him riding in England in 1931, but he did arrive back in

Australia in November 1931. Evans did return to America in 1935. It is

possible that he had made some American connections, but this is pure

speculation. Research has revealed that there were three tracks

operating in New York State at the time of AJ’s arrival. They were

Brighton Fairground, Bearsville Woodstock], and Cambridge

Fairgrounds all dirt tracks capable of staging speedway. To date I have

been unable to discover any meeting details or connection to AJ.

Under the heading “Speedways abroad Success in South America” the

West Australian newspaper of June 9 1931 carried this report,

To select riders for speedways in England and in South America.

Mr. Frank A.Hunting reached Fremantle yesterday from England on

the liner Moreton Bay. Five years ago. with his brother, A J Hunting

he took teams of Australian riders to England and South America, to

introduce the sport in those countries. Speaking of dirt track racing

abroad, Mr. Hunting -'said that the boom in England had subsided,

and left the sport on a much sounder basis. Two years ago there were

over 90 tracks in England, but they had been reduced to less than 60,

and there were signs indicating that about half that number would

survive this season. In his opinion, the sport would be a permanent

feature in England if occasionally stimulated by international contests

and the introduction of new riders. At all the successful tracks

Australian riders were the star attractions. ' Last October Mr.

Hunting took to South America a team of 16 riders, including Spouts

Elders, Dick Wise (Adelaide), Ernie Evans (Melbourne), and Billy

Lamont (Sydney). He established three speedways, and engaged 30

Argentine riders. The sport was most encouragingly received, crowds

of 20,000 attending four nights a week..

The Huntings never returned to promote in South America but an ill

fated expedition headed by Eric and Oliver Langton, with Belle Vue

riders Frank Varey, Clem Cort, Bob Harrison and mechanic Allan

Jefferies appeared at the Montivedeo track for the 1931/32 season. The

team was contracted to a Jack Nelson who asked them to bring over six

new machines in addition to their own. This was not a successful

venture, which has, to a certain extent, placed a shadow over the AJ

ventures, which were a financial benefit to all concerned. The Langtons’

venture was tinged with hardships and tragedy.

Clem Cort was fatally injured in a motorcycle sidecar accident. Bob

Harrison and Oliver Langton were travelling with him when they were

hit by a car driving without lights. Harrison was jailed as he was the

motorcycle driver, but managed to get out on bail. The riders ran a

charity meeting to pay for Clem’s funeral and assist his wife to get

home to Australia. It should be mentioned that some writers have

claimed Cort broke his neck on the racetrack. This is incorrect. The

riders were then unable to raise their own return fares to England.

Promoter Nelson was delayed up country and unable to pay them. A

plea for help to E. O Spence at Belle Vue was met with a return cable

saying “SWIM”!! Eventually the fares were raised from the sale of the

bikes they had shipped over. It is not known if AJ was a director in the

company with Nelson. I suspect that he was not involved otherwise the

affairs would have been conducted more efficiently.

Apart from Billy Lamont, AJ was never to meet any of his riders again

He had nurtured them and set them on the right course to become

successful in many ways. He did keep in touch by letter with some of

the officials and Billy Lamont. He was very disappointed to not meet

again with the Langtons when they were in Australia and expressed his

sadness in a letter in 1940. For the record, Eric Langton became a top

rider, running second in the 1936 World Final and later manufactured

the Langton Maxie frame with his brother Oliver and Max Grosskreutz.

The last named became manager at Norwich and rode until 1947. Ernie

Evans became an Australian test team rider and rode up to 1938. Dicky

Wise took over as manager at Norwich after Grosskreutz. Frank Varey

and Arthur Franklyn also became promoters. Dusty Haigh and Buzz

Hibberd both lost their lives on the speedway track. Sprouts Elders died

in tragic circumstances in July 1957, AJ had always kept in touch with

his wife. Up to 1946. Arthur and Westy Westwood became a well

known midget and solo promoters. Everyone learnt something from AJ,

that is part of his legacy,sowing the seed.

It should be noted that the two seasons in South America under AJ

failed to receive any recognition in speedway history publications. Cyril

May gives a couple of pages in his Complete History of Speedway, but

Tom Stenner, Thrilling the Million 1934, and more recently Robert

Bamford in the Pre-War years and Phillip Dalling in the Golden Years

ignore South America. The latter three all mention speedway around the

world but not South America. It must be said that researching South

America is very difficult. Thanks must be given to Rutland UK

historian Colin Jewes who has carried out some dedicated work in the

compiling of this previously overlooked period of time. TONY WEBB BRISBANE 2-1-2013

Can You Help?

1951 California Trophy winner was Arthur Flack. I am presuming it

was staged 14/10/1951?. Can anyone confirm this date and even better

has anyone got a scan of the programme? 1952 California Trophy

winner was Jim Tebby. It was advertised as 28/09/1952 but was

possibly postponed??? (unsure). Can anyone confirm the date it was run

and also confirm if the same programme was used or another one was

issued, again any scans would be appreciated. Please reply to my email

address or phone numbers 0118 981523 07825 149700 Les Hawkins

End Of Another Volume

We have reached the end of another volume and we hope you’ll stick

with us into the 16th Volume in June. We have managed to keep the cost

of the magazine down to £5 for the last few years but we are going to

have to ask for a wee bit more and hope that going to £7 for the four

magazines won’t break the piggy bank. The rise is due to the cost of

postage and the fees for increasing the size of the web space.

As ever we make a plea for articles and we would be delighted to

publish your articles. After all we set up to share information and views

and help you find information you are seeking. The renewal form is

enclosed. Also enclosed is the list of programmes and photos we are

auctioning off to raise some income to support the web site. As ever we

are prepared to help those with no access to the web by means of

supplying files on CD if this would help bridge the gap. We’d also like

ideas on how we might be able to adapt to help you even more and will

not ignore any suggestions. Graham and Jim

Web Wonders

The web is becoming ever more extensive. The bulk of the work 1945 –

1964 is now up on the site and Jim hopes to tackle a few more of the

years post 1965 in the future. It will depend on what Speedway Stars

come readily to hand. Bob Ozanne is still working on the pre-war

newspapers while Steve Wilkes is in charge of the 1965 onwards

section. Mark Aspinell is soldiering away on a number of fronts in this

era including splitting up some of the large season long files into team

by team files which is a useful exercise. If you do have a collection of

programmes, please do look at the information needs section and see

what you can provide to help fill the gaps. We can handle the

information in loads of ways but scans of programmes are by far the

best. Can’t forget the splendid work done by our webmaster Matt

Jackson. Matt it is who keeps the site up to date. Please do look at it –

you might just be surprised to find what we have on it Jim

Motherwell 1930 and 1932

This sketchy venue known as Paragon Speedway has been the subject

of conjecture for some time and much of the evidence has pointed to the

venue to at Airbles Road, Motherwell. Airbles Road was certainly used

in 1932 but articles uncovered in The People’s Journal for 1930 places

some doubt over the location of this venue.

The paper of 2 August reports that Alfie Williams has a practice track

near Wishaw on land owned by Lord Belhaven. The track is 440 yards

with a rough cinder surface. The report suggests riders can lap it in 19s.,

a figure from other reports I recall reading on the 1930 venue. Alfie

mentions that the activity drew quite a crowd of spectators. Proposals to

formalise the venue was turned down by Lord Belhaven.

Local information shows that Lord Belhaven’s land surrounding

Wishaw House to the east of Motherwell and not near Airbles Road.

Interestingly it is close to a place called Craigneuk and I recall one time

Secretary of the White City Speedway Supporters Club, Jimmy

Lumsden, mentioned Craigneuk when asked about the 1930 venue.

The People’s Journal for 18 April 1931 mentions Alfie Williams had

been practicing during the winter on a cycle track near Wishaw which

had a cinder surface.

However, the mystery was solved by The People’s Journal of 1932

which at long last confirmed the 1932 venue in Airbles Road was

indeed the site of Paragon Speedway. It advised that the track was up

and running for practice in early April 1932 but suffered a setback when

a big area of the 4440 yard track, which was apparently built on a waste

tip, subsided by a few feet. However, repairs were undertaken and a few

more practice sessions were staged in April 1932, one of which featured

Drew McQueen who was preparing himself for a season at West Ham.

The promotion was headed by Alfie Williams, Billy Llewellyn and

Hugh Adamson appointed Bill Naismith as Racing Manager and

employed Patrick Nugent from Carfin in Lanarkshire as the Manager.

The opening meeting as staged on 5th May and another was staged on

12th May. The subsequent two meetings on the following Wednesdays

were rained off and it is not known if any other events were staged after

the two rain offs.

It is known greyhound racing started at the site in July 1932 and it is

suspected the venture folded due to lack of real support and the dog

track was a way to cut the losses. The reports in The People’s Journal

also end quite abruptly supporting this opinion.

Alfie Williams, who was the driving force behind the project did stage

events at Glasgow Nelson in 1932 and had been trying to get the use of

Scotstoun Showground while fellow promoters Billy Llewellyn had

been trying to obtain sites in Coatbridge without any luck. Jim Henry

Rudge Correction

Stuart Towner advises thet Rudges went into Liquidation in 1936 and

moved to Hayes in 1937. Motor cycle production cessed in 1939 and

the Autocycle went to Norman for 1940.

Deadline for items for next edition is 30th

April 2013. We welcome

items on any topic related to the history of speedway and welcome

material about more recent times – post 1964.

Web Master: Matt Jackson

www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk Or jjh1950@blueyonder.co.uk

The Speedway Researcher is edited and published by: Graham Fraser Jim Henry

All mail to Jim at 90 Greenend Gardens, Edinburgh, EH17 7QH

24 Graham Tel : 01786 471992 Jim Tel : 0131 664 7185